As I may have mentioned before, my job requires me to work regular nightshifts. Now, it’s a very reactive job, so some of the time you are waiting around for something to go wrong. That is the point at which I rely on my audiobooks to get me through the nights. I need to keep my eye on the computer screen at all times to watch for alerts, so I can’t really focus on a Kindle or other reading matter. However, in those circumstances, audiobooks are a real lifesaver. I can keep my eye on the screen while still enjoying my story. Having my mind on the book also helps me stay awake. As well as nightshifts, I also enjoy listening to a few chapters of a book before going to bed.

With Whispersync for Voice it’s even awesomer. During my breaks I can pick up the Kindle book for a bit of variety and it keeps my place. I’m certain I wouldn’t get through as many books as I do if it weren’t for these nightshifts. From January I’m moving to regular dayshifts so I fear my book consumption may drop, unfortunately.

One production I listened to during this week’s nightshifts was the BBC Radio 4 production of Gaiman’s Neverwhere starring James McAvoy, Natalie Dormer and Benedict Cumberbatch which I picked up from Audible. This is a wonderful production of a great story and I loved it. McAvoy in particular really made me laugh with his interpretation of Richard Mayhew. I understand it’s going to be repeated on the radio over the festive season, so I would definitely recommend catching this one.

When do you like to listen to audiobooks? Let me know in the comments.

Added to my library this week

From Netgalley I picked up Hobbit Lessons – A Map for Life’s Unexpected Journeys by Devin Brown. The blurb says: For generations, The Hobbit has been loved and shared by readers who thrilled to the challenges faced by the band of fourteen. Most didn’t realize, however, that some of life’s greatest lessons could be learned by going along on that journey. Discover these and other exiting truths from Bilbo Baggins journey—without the danger of being eaten by a dragon. It sounded a fun read, so I picked it up.

Since I loved Cinder and Scarlet so much I used an Audible credit to preorder Cress, a book I also have on Kindle preorder.

I’ve been hearing a good deal of buzz about Veronica Rossi and when her Under the Never Sky was on special I picked it up on both Kindle and Audible. I’m not 100% certain that the story will appeal to me, but for the price I paid I am certainly willing to give it a try.

So I’ll take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and all the best for 2014. I will be posting a review on Monday 23rd December and will do a year roundup and anticipation of 2014 the on Friday 27th. Have fun!